MVP Profile: Walter Payton, 1977

Running Back, Chicago Bears


Age: 23
3rd season in pro football & with Bears
College: Jackson State
Height: 5’10” Weight: 204

Prelude:
Chosen by the Bears in the first round of the 1975 NFL draft, Payton played hurt during his rookie season (and missed the only game of his career) as he accumulated 679 rushing yards. He broke out in ’76, running for 1390 yards on a league-leading 311 carries and scoring 13 touchdowns. For his efforts, he achieved consensus first-team All-NFL honors and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

1977 Season Summary
Appeared and started in all 14 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing
Attempts – 339 [1]
Most attempts, game - 40 (for 275 yds.) vs. Minnesota 11/20
Yards – 1852 [1]
Most yards, game – 275 yards (on 40 carries) vs. Minnesota 11/20
Average gain – 5.5 [1]
TDs – 14 [1]
200-yard rushing games – 2
100-yard rushing games - 10

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 27
Most receptions, game – 6 (for 23 yds.) at NY Giants 12/18
Yards – 269
Most yards, game - 107 (on 4 catches) at Detroit 11/24
Average gain – 10.0
TDs – 2
100-yard receiving games – 1

Kickoff Returns
Returns – 2
Yards – 95
Average per return – 47.5
TDs – 0

All-Purpose Yards – 2216 [1]

Scoring
TDs – 16 [1]
Points – 96 [2, 1st in NFC]

Postseason: 1 G (NFC Divisional playoff at Dallas)
Rushing attempts – 19
Rushing yards – 60
Average gain rushing – 3.2
Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 3
Pass receiving yards - 33
Average yards per reception – 11.0
Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns
Returns – 3
Yards – 57
Average per return – 19.0
TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:
NFL MVP: AP, PFWA, NEA
NFL Offensive Player of the Year: AP
NFC Player of the Year: Sporting News
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA, Pro Football Weekly
1st team All-NFC: UPI, Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl

Bears went 9-5 to finish second in the NFC Central and secure a wild card berth in the playoffs while leading the NFL in rushing yardage (2811). Lost to Dallas Cowboys in NFC Divisional playoff (37-7).

Aftermath:
Payton continued to be not only a highly productive rusher for another 10 seasons in the NFL, but was also an outstanding blocker and receiver out of the backfield, as well as an accomplished passer on option plays (he was even the club’s emergency quarterback). Payton led the NFC in rushing for five straight years, despite being part of a lackluster offense that had opposing teams keying on him, and totaled 10 thousand-yard rushing seasons. He was a consensus first-team All-Pro five times and was chosen to nine Pro Bowls. The even-tempered player known as “Sweetness” was also an unselfish team leader and hard worker, and was popular not only with Bears fans, but throughout the league. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards and also topped the list in carries (3838) and rushing TDs (110); his total of 125 touchdowns ranked second. Payton also caught 492 passes for 4538 yards and exceeded 2000 yards from scrimmage in four seasons. The Bears retired his #34 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1993.

--

MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself).

[Updated 2/12/14]
[Updated 11/28/14]

1940: Redskins Beat Bears, Setting Stage for Title Game Showdown

The teams best positioned to vie for the NFL Championship met in Week 9 of the regular season at Washington’s Griffith Stadium on November 17, 1940. The Redskins, coached by Ray Flaherty, were 7-1 and had lost for the first time the week before at Brooklyn. Washington had the league’s best passer in tailback Sammy Baugh, who split time with his capable backup, Frank Filchock, in operating the team’s double-wing offense. The receiving corps of ends Charley Malone and Wayne Millner was a good one, as was HB Dick Todd (pictured at right), a solid receiver as well as runner, and FB Jimmy Johnston.

The Bears, owned and coached by George Halas, utilized the T-formation and had added an outstanding group of rookies, most notably HB George McAfee, end Ken Kavanaugh, tackle Lee Artoe, and center Clyde “Bulldog” Turner to a solid core of young veterans that included QB Sid Luckman, FB Bill Osmanski, HB Ray Nolting, G Dan Fortmann, and T Joe Stydahar. Chicago came into the contest at 6-2, also having lost its last game at Detroit.

There was a crowd of 35,331 in attendance at Griffith Stadium. The Bears took the lead following McAfee’s recovery of a fumble by Washington back Bob Hoffman at the Chicago 38. Nolting and McAfee made long gains on runs that got the ball to the Washington 30. Jack Manders capped the drive by kicking a 33-yard field goal and the Bears held a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter.

Baugh completed a nine-yard pass to Millner to end the opening period, and with substitutions gave way to Filchock for the second quarter. Filchock (pictured below) was effective as he completed passes to end Bob Masterson for first downs. They set up a touchdown throw to Todd, who caught the ball at the Chicago 22 and dodged five defenders on his way to the end zone. Bo Russell kicked the extra point and Washington had a four-point lead. It would prove to be enough, but barely.


The Bears dominated the second half but couldn’t score. Four times they had the ball inside the Washington 15 yard line and came up empty. Sammy Baugh affected the outcome more with his leg than his arm thanks to some outstanding punts that kept Chicago from starting drives in good field position.

The Redskins had a chance to extend their lead when Baugh completed a pass to wingback Ed Justice to the Chicago 13. But his throw into the end zone on the next play was intercepted by DB Solly Sherman. McAfee punted 77 yards with the ball going out of bounds at the Chicago three. Baugh punted it back to the Bears’ 33. Chicago’s drive lasted five plays and the Bears had to turn the ball over on downs.

With 25 seconds left in the game, QB Bob Snyder passed from midfield to McAfee at the 12, who was stopped by Todd a foot short of a game-winning touchdown. Chicago called for a timeout to stop the clock and suffered a five-yard penalty. Luckman threw a pass that was batted away by Wilkin. With fans pouring onto the field, Luckman threw again, this time intended for end Ed Manske in the end zone, but it fell incomplete. Washington’s 7-3 margin in the second quarter remained the final score.

The Bears won the statistical battle as they outgained the Redskins (297 yards to 169) and had more first downs (16 to 11). They both out-rushed (149 to 44) and out-passed (148 to 125) Washington. However, they also turned the ball over one more time than the Redskins (three to two). Sammy Baugh completed 11 of 17 passes for 98 yards

Afterward, many of the Bears insisted that the receiver had been interfered with in the end zone on the climactic play of the game. This led Washington owner George Preston Marshall to state for publication that “the Bears are front-runners, quitters. They’re not a second-half team, just a bunch of cry-babies.”

Washington lost to the Giants the next week, but defeated the Eagles in the season finale to win the Eastern Division with a 9-2 record. The Bears won their final two games to finish at 8-3 atop the Western Division. Halas brought in his offensive consultant of long standing, Stanford Head Coach Clark Shaughnessy, in the period leading up to the NFL Championship game to design some new plays for the rematch with Washington. He also made certain that his players were well aware of owner Marshall’s comments about them in the wake of the 7-3 loss. The result in the title game was very different – a monumental 73-0 shellacking of the Redskins, the seeds of which were sown in the earlier meeting.

1969: Long Lamonica-to-Wells TD Gives Raiders Win Over Chargers

The Oakland Raiders were 7-1-1 and battling the Chiefs atop the Western Division of the American Football League as they took on their West Coast rivals, the San Diego Chargers, on November 16, 1969. Oakland had won the division the previous two seasons (and put together an outstanding 25-3 regular-season record in doing so) and, under first-year Head Coach John Madden, was looking to win one last AFL Championship before the scheduled merger with the NFL. QB Daryle Lamonica (pictured at right) directed a dynamic passing attack on offense and the defense was intimidating and effective.

The game marked a noteworthy milestone for the Chargers, for it would be the first in franchise history without Sid Gillman as head coach. While he remained as general manager, a bleeding ulcer had forced him to hand over the coaching reigns to assistant Charlie Waller. Doubtless it had not helped his condition that the talented club was 4-5 and had lost its last three games, including one at home against the Raiders. Typically known for their offensive prowess under Gillman, the Chargers had failed to score an offensive touchdown in their last two contests.

There were 54,372 in attendance at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Chargers implemented a zone defense to try and shut down Oakland’s aerial attack, at one point going to six defensive backs to thwart the outside passing game. As a result, the Raiders offense sputtered much of the game, but the Chargers weren’t able to capitalize despite inspired defensive play.

Following a scoreless first quarter, San Diego CB Speedy Duncan intercepted a Lamonica pass and made a spectacular 72-yard return, shaking attempted tackles by virtually all of the Raiders on the field along the way.

Oakland came back and Lamonica completed a 19-yard scoring pass to WR Fred Biletnikoff that, with the successful extra point, evened the score at 7-7. The defense put the Raiders ahead before the half when LB Dan Conners pulled the ball out of TE Willie Frazier’s hands and ran 25 yards for a touchdown. Oakland was ahead by 14-7 after thirty minutes of play.

The Chargers drew closer in the third quarter thanks to an 18-yard field goal by Dennis Partee that made it a 14-10 game. Partee made it a one-point contest with a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, but San Diego continued to miss opportunities on offense. An apparent five-yard scoring run by HB Dickie Post was nullified by an illegal procedure penalty on rookie OT Gene Ferguson, who was subbing for injured star Ron Mix.

Another opportunity was lost when Partee missed a 31-yard field goal attempt after the Chargers recovered a fumble by Raiders HB Charlie Smith at the Oakland 17. San Diego twice made it inside the Oakland 15 in the fourth quarter, but came away with just three points

Still, the Chargers took the lead on Partee’s third successful field goal of the game, from 14 yards out, that capped a 53-yard drive highlighted by five runs by the scatback Post, one of 42 yards up the middle, that got the ball to the Oakland six. Waller chose to kick rather than go for the touchdown despite the success the Chargers were having running the ball

The ensuing kickoff was returned 21 yards by WR Rod Sherman and the Raiders lost a yard on the next play (a draw by Charlie Smith) before Lamonica threw long to WR Warren Wells, who ran between CB Bob Howard and FS Jim Hill and caught the ball in stride at the San Diego 20. The well-thrown pass traveled some 60 yards in the air and Wells took it in unmolested for a spectacular 80-yard touchdown. Lamonica’s foot had slipped before throwing, and Howard and Hill, thinking that he had been sacked, backed off for a critical moment, allowing the speedy Wells to get past them.

With 5:41 remaining to play, the Chargers regained possession but couldn’t get beyond their own 23 and had to punt. Oakland sought to control the ball, and with 1:15 remaining, Lamonica completed a 14-yard pass to Biletnikoff on a third-and-six play from the Oakland 39. It allowed the Raiders to run out the clock and win the hard-fought contest by a score of 21-16.

Oakland outgained the Chargers by 309 yards to 224, but San Diego led in first downs, 17 to 13. The Raiders gained just 74 yards on 28 running plays and turned the ball over four times, to three by the Chargers.


Daryle Lamonica had a generally subpar performance as he completed 15 of 29 passes for 235 yards with two touchdowns and had three intercepted, but he made the big plays when he had to. Most of the completions were to FB Hewritt Dixon on flares and screens, and he ended up with 8 catches for 49 yards while also leading the club in rushing with 64 yards on 14 carries. With the long scoring play, Warren Wells (pictured at left) had 105 yards on two completions. Fred Biletnikoff added three catches for 47 yards and a TD.

For the Chargers, QB John Hadl went to the air 32 times but had only 12 completions for 127 yards, although he threw no interceptions. Dickie Post had an outstanding rushing performance as he gained 113 yards on 20 carries. Oakland’s cornerbacks Willie Brown and Nemiah Wilson were effective in keeping San Diego’s star WR Lance Alworth bottled up, and he had just 3 catches for 25 yards and with no TDs. As a result, TE Jeff Queen led the team in passing yards with 59 on his two receptions. WR Rick Eber also had three catches, for 28 yards.

“Good teams - teams that win championships - win close games like this one,” Oakland’s Coach Madden said afterward. “You’d like to win them by big scores but sometimes you win on 80-yard pass plays. The important thing is that you win.”

“This was the first time in 35 years I was up in the stands while a team of mine was playing down on the field,” said a wan Sid Gillman, who suffered through the game while sitting with Chargers coaches up in the press box. “It was, to put it mildly, a little tough on me. But I'll get used lo it. I'll get used to anything – except losing.”

“Boy, it really hurts,” summed up the 47-year-old Charlie Waller, a loser in his first game as a head coach. He added, “Our defense gave us good field position, but we didn’t have any punch. We couldn’t get the touchdown and then we missed a 30-yard field goal, too.”

The Raiders won the remainder of their games to once again win the Western Division with a 12-1-1 record. In the playoff format for the AFL’s final season, the division winners faced the second place teams in the opposite division in the first round, and Oakland easily dispatched the Eastern Division’s number two club, the Houston Oilers, by a 56-7 score. However, the Chiefs, who finished second in their division to the Raiders, defeated the top team in the East, the defending-champion New York Jets. While Oakland had beaten Kansas City twice during the regular season, the Chiefs came away with a 17-7 win in the AFL title game.

As for the Chargers, the loss to the Raiders marked the third straight game without an offensive TD. However, they rallied under Coach Waller to win their last four games and ended up third in the Western Division at 8-6.

Daryle Lamonica was named AFL Player of the Year by UPI as he led the league in pass attempts (426), completions (221), yards (3302), and TD passes (34). On the downside, he also led the AFL by throwing 25 interceptions. He ranked second in passing (79.8 rating), yards per attempt (7.8), and completion percentage (51.9).

Warren Wells had 47 catches for a league-leading 1260 yards, 26.8 per-reception average, and 14 touchdowns. His 1284 yards from scrimmage also led the AFL.

Dickie Post, the diminutive halfback (5’9”, 190 pounds), led the AFL in rushing 873 yards on 182 carries (4.8 avg.) and six touchdowns. His 1182 total yards ranked seventh and he was an AFL All-Star for the second time.

MVP Profile: Dan Fouts, 1982

Quarterback, San Diego Chargers



Age: 31
10th season in pro football & with Chargers
College: Oregon
Height: 6’3” Weight: 205

Prelude:
A third-round draft choice by the Chargers in 1973, Fouts gradually took over the starting job as a rookie while an over-the-hill Johnny Unitas faded from the scene in his last season. He struggled for the next two years but benefited from the presence of Bill Walsh as offensive coordinator in 1976. Fouts missed the first 10 games in ’77 due to a lawsuit against the NFL. Head Coach Tommy Prothro was replaced by the pass-oriented Don Coryell during the 1978 season, and the sturdy drop-back passer’s career benefited greatly. After leading the NFL in yards per attempt in ’78 (7.9), he set a new passing yardage record in 1979 with 4082, led the league in completion percentage (62.6), and was a consensus first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection. With an outstanding group of receivers to throw to in the Air Coryell passing game, Fouts broke his passing yardage record in each of the next two seasons (4715 in 1980, 4802 in ’81) while leading the NFL in attempts and completions each year and in TD passes in 1981 (33). He was a Pro Bowl selection again following each season, although the team consistently came up short in the playoffs.

1982 Season Summary
Appeared and started in all 9 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank]

Passing
Attempts – 330 [2]
Most attempts, game – 48 at San Francisco 12/11
Completions – 204 [3]
Most completions, game – 33 at San Francisco 12/11
Yards – 2883 [1]
Most yards, game – 444 at San Francisco 12/11
Completion percentage – 61.8 [6]
Yards per attempt – 8.7 [1]
TD passes – 17 [1, tied with Joe Montana & Terry Bradshaw]
Most TD passes, game – 5 at San Francisco 12/11, vs. Baltimore 12/26
Interceptions – 11 [8, tied with six others]
Most interceptions, game – 2 at LA Raiders 11/22, at Cleveland 12/5, vs. Cincinnati 12/20, vs. LA Raiders 1/2
Passer rating – 93.3 [2]
400-yard passing games – 2
300-yard passing games – 5
200-yard passing games – 9

Rushing
Attempts – 9
Most attempts, game - 3 (for 5 yd.) at Cleveland 12/5
Yards – 8
Most yards, game – 5 yards (on 3 carries) at Cleveland 12/5
Yards per attempt – 0.9
TDs – 1

Scoring
TDs – 1
Points – 6

Postseason: 2 G
Pass attempts – 76
Most attempts, game - 42 at Pittsburgh, AFC First Round playoff
Pass completions – 42
Most completions, game - 27 at Pittsburgh, AFC First Round playoff
Passing yardage – 524
Most yards, game - 333 at Pittsburgh, AFC First Round playoff
TD passes – 4
Most TD passes, game - 3 at Pittsburgh, AFC First Round playoff
Interceptions – 5
Most interceptions, game - 5 at Miami, AFC Second Round playoff

Rushing attempts – 2
Most rushing attempts, game - 2 at Miami, AFC Second Round playoff
Rushing yards – 3
Most rushing yards, game - 3 at Miami, AFC Second Round playoff
Average gain rushing – 1.5
Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:
NFL MVP: PFWA, NEA
NFL Offensive Player of the Year: AP
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA, Pro Football Weekly
1st team All-AFC: UPI
Pro Bowl

Chargers went 6-3 in strike-shortened season and were 5th seed in the AFC playoff tournament that replaced the usual postseason format while leading the NFL in total offense (4048 yards), passing (2927), scoring (288 points), and touchdowns (34). Won First Round playoff over Pittsburgh Steelers (31-28). Lost Second Round playoff to Miami Dolphins (34-13).

Aftermath:
Playing in just 10 games in 1983, Fouts again achieved Pro Bowl recognition. While he never again passed for 4000 yards in the remaining five years of his career, he did throw for over 3000 three more times, led the league in yards per attempt (8.5) and TD percentage (6.3) in 1985, and was twice more selected to the Pro Bowl (for a total of six). At the time of his retirement, he ranked second all-time in NFL career pass attempts (5604), completions (3297), and yards (43,040) and had a passer rating of 80.2. The Chargers retired his #14 and Fouts was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1993.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself).

[Updated 2/12/14]

1965: Cuozzo Throws 5 TD Passes as Colts Bury Vikings

The Baltimore Colts, coached by Don Shula, appeared to be cruising toward a second straight NFL Western Conference title as they took on the Minnesota Vikings on November 14, 1965 at Metropolitan Stadium. However, there was a major concern as it would be the first time in seven years that star QB Johnny Unitas would have to miss an entire game due to injury. The 32-year-old all-time great had suffered a back injury against the Bears the previous week and his backup, Gary Cuozzo (pictured above), had taken over. Baltimore won to advance to 7-1 and stay a game ahead of the Green Bay Packers.

Cuozzo had appeared in 18 games over a three-year span as the backup to Unitas but had never started before. Undrafted out of Virginia in 1963, he signed with the Colts after an impressive performance in the Senior Bowl.

The Vikings, meanwhile, had won their last three games and were 5-3 under Head Coach Norm Van Brocklin. The offense, guided by scrambling QB Fran Tarkenton, could put up points, but the defense was a source of concern.

There were 47,426 fans in attendance, and for one half it appeared that they might witness an upset, although Minnesota wasted several scoring opportunities. The Vikings started off with a 49-yard drive following the opening kickoff, but HB Phil King fumbled the ball away at the Baltimore 31. On their second possession, they went 65 yards to the Colts’ 19 but came up empty.

The third Minnesota drive covered 54 yards and ended with Tarkenton throwing to TE Hal Bedsole in the corner of the end zone for a six-yard touchdown. It was the high point for the Vikings, who by that point had run 30 plays for 145 yards to just six for -4 yards for Baltimore.

Cuozzo and the Colts offense were slow to get going until late in the first half, not getting their initial first down of the game until seven minutes into the second quarter. With the Vikings ahead by 7-3 and 23 seconds remaining in the half (Lou Michaels had kicked a 17-yard field goal), Cuozzo threw to flanker Jimmy Orr for a 43-yard touchdown. Minnesota had dominated the first half, controlling the ball for 41 plays to 16 for the Colts, but Baltimore went into halftime ahead by a score of 10-7.

In the third quarter, the tide turned decisively. Cuozzo got on track and completed eight of nine passes for 101 yards and three more TDs. He started off with a 22-yard scoring pass to Orr that made the score 17-7.

Midway through the period, the Vikings capped a 79-yard drive with a 17-yard scoring pass from Tarkenton to end Paul Flatley that made it 17-14. The game was never again as close. The Colts came right back with a four-play drive that included a 21-yard run by FB Tony Lorick and ended with a scoring pass to HB Lenny Moore that covered 29 yards. Before the period was over, Cuozzo connected with end Raymond Berry for his fourth TD pass, covering six yards, and Baltimore was comfortably ahead by 31-14.

Michaels booted a 38-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to stretch the Colts’ margin to twenty points. On the ensuing kickoff, flanker Lance Rentzel fumbled and Baltimore recovered. It led to Cuozzo firing his then-club-record fifth touchdown pass of the game, covering 14 yards to flanker Willie Richardson.

Rentzel made up for the fumble by returning the ensuing kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown, but it was of no consequence to the outcome. The Colts won by the decisive score of 41-21.

The Colts outgained Minnesota, 393 yards to 249, although both teams had 20 first downs apiece. Baltimore sacked Tarkenton four times, while Cuozzo was dumped once, and the Vikings had just 85 net passing yards. Minnesota also turned the ball over twice, to none by the Colts.


After starting slowly, Gary Cuozzo completed 16 of 26 passes for 208 yards with the five touchdowns and none intercepted. Raymond Berry caught 4 of those throws for 85 yards and a TD. Tony Lorick (pictured at right) led the running game with 84 yards on 7 carries. Lenny Moore also ran the ball 7 times, for 34 yards, and added another 45 yards on his two pass receptions that included a touchdown.

For the Vikings, Fran Tarkenton was successful on 12 of 20 pass attempts for 120 yards and two touchdowns with none picked off; he also ran the ball four times for 52 yards. Phil King was the leading rusher with 75 yards on 15 carries, although he also had the early fumble. FB Bill Brown was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 44 yards – he added another 37 yards on 13 rushing attempts. Paul Flatley contributed 43 yards on three receptions that included a TD.

It was a big day for the kick returners. While Lance Rentzel stole the show with the long kickoff return for a touchdown, DB Alvin Haymond of the Colts gained 68 yards on two kickoff returns and 64 more on a pair of punt returns.

The win kept the Colts a game ahead of the Packers, but while Unitas was back the next week for a win over the Eagles, they had to come from behind in the fourth quarter to salvage a tie against Detroit and then lost Unitas for good the following week with a knee injury in a loss to the Bears. Cuozzo went down with a shoulder injury in the next game as the Colts were defeated by Green Bay. With HB Tom Matte serving as emergency quarterback, and the addition of veteran QB Ed Brown to finish out the regular season, the Colts won the season finale and ended up tied with the Packers at 10-3-1. They lost a dramatic overtime playoff game at Green Bay.

As for the Vikings, the loss to Baltimore was the first of four straight. They won their last two games to end up at 7-7 and fifth in the Western Conference.

Gary Cuozzo completed 54 of 105 passes for 700 yards with 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, and the five-TD performance against Minnesota made him a hot property as a backup quarterback with great starting potential. Following another year behind Unitas in 1966, he was traded to the expansion New Orleans Saints for a first-round draft pick plus a player (center Bill Curry) in 1967, but lost the starting job to Bill Kilmer. The Saints dealt him to Minnesota for two first-round choices in ’68, and while he got a chance to start following the departure of Joe Kapp after the 1969 season, he never lived up to expectations and ended his career with the Cardinals in 1972.

As a footnote, the five touchdowns remained the franchise record for the Colts until 2003 (it was tied by Gary Hogeboom in 1987; Unitas never threw more than four in a game, which he did on 13 occasions) when Peyton Manning threw for six in a game for the first time.

1949: Conerly & Roberts Star as Giants Down Packers

The NFL game on November 13, 1949 at Green Bay’s City Stadium featured the Packers (2-5), in what would be their last season under head coach and founder Curly Lambeau, and New York Giants (4-3), a rebuilding club under long-time Head Coach Steve Owen.

The Giants featured second-year QB Charlie Conerly and HB Gene “Choo-Choo” Roberts (pictured above) on offense. Roberts, a good receiver out of the backfield as well as rusher, had a 200-yard receiving performance three weeks earlier (201 on four catches, three of them for TDs, against the Bears).

Green Bay came into the contest as the lowest-scoring team in pro football, averaging just 9.9 points per game. Beyond star HB Tony Canadeo, there wasn’t much talent. The passing game, with Jug Girard and rookie Stan Heath seeing most of the action at quarterback, was dreadful. It was a far cry from the days of Arnie Herber and Cecil Isbell shredding defenses with throws to Don Hutson.

There were 20,151 in attendance at the small venue. Late in the first quarter, the Giants started off the scoring when Conerly threw a pass to Roberts that traveled 20 yards in the air and the third-year halfback ran the remaining 25 for a 45-yard touchdown. Shortly thereafter, LB Don Ettinger intercepted a pass by Heath at the Green Bay 20. The result was a 41-yard Ben Agajanian field goal.

Down 10-0 in the second quarter, the Packers got into the game with a 27-yard field goal by Ted Fritsch and the score remained 10-3 at halftime. However, the Giants took control of the contest with two touchdowns in the third quarter.

In their first possession of the second half, Conerly threw to Roberts for a 44-yard touchdown. The next was set up when tackle Bill Austin recovered a fumble at the Green Bay 32. Again it was Roberts scoring a TD on a Conerly pass, this time from ten yards out.

Visibility was poor late in the game and the lights were turned on. The Packers finally scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter when HB Ralph Earhart returned a punt 57 yards. But end Bill Swiacki added another TD for the Giants, pulling in Conerly’s pass over the heads of two defenders for a 24-yard score. The extra point attempt failed, but it didn’t matter. New York won handily by a final tally of 30-10.

While New York’s edge in first downs was only 19 to 17, the Giants significantly outgained the Packers by 451 yards to 288. Most of New York’s yardage came through the air (352 net passing yards to 99 rushing yards) while Green Bay’s was more evenly distributed (137 rushing, 151 passing). And while the Giants turned the ball over five times, the Packers suffered six turnovers.


Charlie Conerly completed 15 of 29 throws for 345 yards with four touchdown passes, although three were intercepted. Gene Roberts had another two hundred-yard receiving performance as he gained 212 on 7 catches with three TDs. For the Packers, Tony Canadeo ran for 71 yards on 14 carries.

The Giants lost three of their last four games to finish at 6-6 and in third place in the Eastern Division. Green Bay lost all of its remaining contests and ended up at the bottom of the Western Division with a 2-10 record. The team was suffering financially as well as organizationally, and it was a sad end to the Lambeau era for the Packers.

Gene Roberts had an extraordinary season. In addition to becoming the first running back to twice gain 200 receiving yards in a single season, he ranked fourth in rushing in the NFL with 634 yards on 152 carries and nine touchdowns and also placed fourth with his 711 yards on 35 pass receptions that included another eight TDs. His 17 touchdowns and 102 points led the league (the scoring total was tied by Pat Harder of the Cardinals). Roberts also led the NFL with 1345 yards from scrimmage. It was all part of a productive four-season career with the Giants that peaked in 1949 and ’50, and ended abruptly when Roberts jumped to Canada in 1951 and played with Montreal and Ottawa for another four years.

Charlie Conerly played for the Giants far longer (until 1961). In 1949, he ranked third in passing yards (2138) and touchdown passes (17, tied with Bob Waterfield of the Rams), although he also ranked third by tossing 20 interceptions.

Green Bay’s Tony Canadeo (pictured below) had an outstanding season with a bad team as he rushed for 1052 yards on 208 carries for a 5.1-yard average and four TDs. The 30-year-old, in his eighth year out of Gonzaga, ranked second in rushing to Philadelphia’s Steve Van Buren and thus became the first NFL player to rush for a thousand yards in a season without leading the league.

2006: Parker Runs for 213 Yards as Steelers Beat Brees & Saints

The Week 10 matchup on November 12, 2006 at Heinz Field featured two teams whose fortunes were moving in opposite directions from the prior season. The Pittsburgh Steelers, coached by Bill Cowher, were the defending league champions, but had thus far compiled a less-than-august 2-6 record. QB Ben Roethlisberger, who played so well in his first two years, suffered both an offseason motorcycle accident and appendectomy and was now more tentative and mistake-prone. The offensive line was having difficulty with both run blocking and pass protection, but the defense was still sound. Fundamentally, the Steelers still had the key players in place from the Super Bowl-winning club of 2005, but had yet to play up to their potential in ‘06.

The New Orleans Saints had suffered through a dismal 2005. Following the devastation of the Crescent City by Hurricane Katrina just prior to the start of the season, rendering the Louisiana Superdome in need of significant repair, the Saints were forced to play the entire schedule on the road. The result was a 3-13 disaster. In the offseason, they gained a new head coach in Sean Payton and a new quarterback in free agent Drew Brees, previously of the Chargers. A rejuvenated franchise back in its refurbished home stadium, New Orleans won the first three games of the ’06 season to equal its total of the year before and was 6-2 and the talk of the NFL coming into Pittsburgh.

The Steelers struck first, having been galvanized by an emotional team meeting prior to the game in which several veterans spoke up. Following a 40-yard opening kickoff return by RB Najeh Davenport, they took six plays to reach the end zone as Roethlisberger connected with WR Hines Ward for a 37-yard touchdown. Two plays into the following possession, Brees completed a pass to TE Billy Miller, who fumbled when hit by LB James Farrior. DE Brett Keisel recovered for the Steelers, giving them possession at the New Orleans 29.

Pittsburgh made the most of the opportunity. With RB Willie Parker (pictured above) running and Roethlisberger completing a pair of short passes, the Steelers advanced to the two yard line, and from there the quarterback known as “Big Ben” threw to TE Heath Miller for a TD and 14-0 lead.

The Saints came back with a long drive that covered 52 yards in 12 plays, following a 43-yard kickoff return by WR Michael Lewis. New Orleans converted four third downs along the way, including one on a 22-yard pass play from Brees to WR Terrance Copper in a third-and-11 situation, and another pass to Copper for a three-yard touchdown on a third-and-goal play. The score was 14-7 after one quarter.

Following a Pittsburgh punt, the Saints put together another 12-play scoring drive, this one covering 78 yards. Brees completed a 27-yard pass to WR Marques Colston along the way, and the same combination came together to convert a fourth-and-two situation at the Steelers’ 26 with a 10-yard gain. John Carney booted a 20-yard field goal to finish off the possession and Pittsburgh’s lead was cut to 14-10.

After another short possession by the Steelers, the Saints drove 71 yards in eight plays. Brees passed to Colston for a 28-yard gain on a third-and-ten play that moved the ball to the Pittsburgh 32. A 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty set up a 15-yard touchdown run by RB Reggie Bush, after taking a handoff from Colston on a double reverse.

It was now 17-14 in favor of New Orleans with 2:22 on the clock in the first half. Passing out of the shotgun formation, Roethlisberger completed three passes, including one to WR Santonio Holmes that gained 46 yards to the Saints’ 13. Jeff Reed kicked a 32-yard field goal and the score was tied at 17-17.

There was still time remaining, and now it was Brees firing out of the shotgun formation with two completions for 33 yards to get into Pittsburgh territory at the 39. A long pass to Colston gained 29 yards, and RB Deuce McAllister ran for a four-yard TD on a broken play that put the Saints back ahead at 24-17 at halftime.

New Orleans had the first possession of the second half and punted, giving the Steelers the ball at their own nine yard line. They put together a good drive, with Parker running three times for 26 yards and catching two passes. Roethlisberger completed a pass down the middle to WR Nate Washington that gained 22 yards on a third-and-ten play and had another 22-yard throw to Miller. However, after the drive stalled at the New Orleans 18, Reed was wide on a 35-yard field goal attempt.

The Steelers got the ball back quickly. On the Saints’ second play, Bush fumbled and FS Ryan Clark recovered for Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger wasted no time as he immediately went to the air and tossed a 38-yard touchdown pass to WR Cedrick Wilson. With the extra point, the game was once again tied at 24-24.

Brees came out throwing when the Saints regained possession. After McAllister ran for three yards, the quarterback threw to Bush for 13 yards and then to Copper for 32. But after advancing to the Pittsburgh 14, Carney missed from 32 yards out on a field goal attempt and the score remained knotted.

Roethlisberger was sacked on Pittsburgh’s next play, but the Steelers got all that back and much more when Parker burst through the line for a 72-yard gain to the New Orleans 14. Parker started the fourth quarter off with a three-yard touchdown run, and Pittsburgh was back in front by 31-24.

The Saints again made it into Steelers territory on their next possession, but punted into the end zone after reaching the 39. On Pittsburgh’s second play, it was Parker making another big run as he carried the ball around right end, this time for a 76-yard gain to the New Orleans four. The third-year running back ran it in for a TD from there on the next play, and it was a 38-24 game.

With almost ten minutes to play, the Saints were far from done. Brees threw to RB Aaron Stecker for 48 yards and followed up by connecting with Colston for 13 more to the Pittsburgh eight yard line. McAllister ran for another four-yard touchdown and it was again a one-touchdown game.

The Steelers crossed midfield and had to punt on their next possession. Starting at their 19, the Saints moved methodically down the field as Brees completed short passes. They converted two third downs, but Copper fumbled the ball away after gaining 20 yards to the Pittsburgh 25 in a third-and-ten situation with under a minute remaining on the clock, and the Steelers held on for a 38-31 win.

Pittsburgh was weakened in the defensive backfield during the course of the game due to concussions suffered by star SS Troy Polamalu and CB Deshea Townsend and the Saints had more total yards (513 to 467) and first downs (29 to 19). However, New Orleans suffered three costly turnovers, to none by the Steelers.

Willie Parker was the star of the game as he rushed for 213 yards on 22 carries that included the two touchdowns set up by his long runs. Ben Roethlisberger completed 17 of 28 passes for 264 yards with three TDs and none intercepted. Hines Ward was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 86 yards and a score.


Drew Brees had another productive passing game as he went to the air 47 times and completed 31 for 398 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Marques Colston (pictured at right) caught 10 passes for 169 yards and Terrance Copper added 92 yards on his 6 receptions that included a TD. Deuce McAllister led the running game with 49 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown and Reggie Bush contributed 10 attempts for 49 yards and a TD on the ground and 7 catches for 40 yards as a receiver out of the backfield.

“We had three turnovers, and that can't happen,” Drew Brees said in summing up afterward. “The defense gave up a couple of big plays. That can't happen. Special teams gave them good field position. That can't happen. If eliminate one of those, we should have been able to fight back.”

It was a big win for the Steelers and turned around their season – they won five of their last seven games, and while it was too much ground to make up to have a shot at making the playoffs and defending their title, they finished at a respectable 8-8 for third place in the AFC North. New Orleans lost again the next week to the Bengals but went on to win the NFC South with a 10-6 record and advanced to the NFC Championship game before succumbing to the Bears.

Willie Parker gained a career-high 1494 yards rushing on 337 carries with 13 touchdowns. He also scored three times as part of his 31 pass receptions and his 16 TDs overall tied for third in the NFL. Parker was named to the Pro Bowl.

Ben Roethlisberger led the league by throwing 23 interceptions and was also sacked 46 times. Still, he ranked seventh in the NFL by throwing for 3513 yards and averaging 7.5 yards per attempt and fourth with 12.5 yards per completion. Drew Brees (pictured below) had a big year, leading the league in passing yards (4418) and ranking third with 26 touchdown passes, a passer rating of 96.2, and 8.0 yards per attempt.